On May 20, WMU-Cooley Law School’s Auburn Hills campus held its ninth annual charity event to raise money for the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School Scholarship. Each year the charity event called FUNDS – Financing the Undergraduate Needs of Detroit Scholars – raises money for scholarships to be awarded to a graduate of Detroit Public Schools who has expressed an interest in attending law school after college. This year’s event raised over $5,300.

Daria Bailey, last year’s recipient of the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School Scholarship, joined WMU-Cooley faculty, staff and students during the law school’s annual FUNDS charity event, which raises money for scholarships to be awarded to a graduate of Detroit Public Schools who has expressed an interest in attending law school after college. Pictured (left-right) Dr. Cheryl Mason, Detroit Urban League College Club mentor and adviser; Lisa Halushka, WMU-Cooley associate dean; Bailey; and Robert Vant of Pinnacle Achieving Scholars and the Detroit Urban League.

“I am always amazed at the generosity of our WMU-Cooley community,” said Associate Dean Lisa Halushka. “Students, faculty, staff and alumni stepped up to donate auction items, purchase tickets, bid on items or provide their time and talent. As a result of our coordinated effort, a worthy graduate from the Detroit Public School System will be able to afford to attend college, when perhaps they might not otherwise be able to.”

The recipient of last year’s WMU-Cooley Law School Scholarship, Daria Bailey, attended the event. She thanked those in attendance for their contributions, noting that, because of the kind donations from students last year, she was able to attend Michigan State University when she thought she couldn’t afford to, and because of the mentorship of WMU-Cooley students and Halushka she was able to be very successful in her academic studies.

The event featured a silent auction and live entertainment. Entertainers included comedian and magician Keith Stickley, and acoustic duo Lions to Nowhere featuring Scott and Christine Sawyer and Halushka.

The scholarship is administered by Detroit College Promise, a non-profit organization which is part of the Detroit Public Schools Foundation. The scholarship fills the gap for students for needs that are not usually included in other scholarships or financial aid, such as transportation, clothes, and food.

Acoustic duo Lions to Nowhere featuring Scott Sawyer, WMU-Cooley graduate and his wife Christine, perform on May 20 as part of the law school’s event to raise funds for a graduate of Detroit Public Schools who has expressed an interest in attending law school after college.

Comedian and magician Keith Stickley uses an audience member as part of his act at WMU-Cooley’s ninth annual charity event on May 20.